Seeds are hugely important, providing the opportunity for reproductive dormancy in seed-bearing plants and as a nutrient-dense food source for animals. Seed development involves the formation of three genetically distinct tissues, the embryo, seed coat and endosperm. Although normally dependent on fertilization by pollen, through the process of apomixis sometimes seeds can form in the absence of fertilization. Apomictic Arabidopsis mutants known as fertilisation-independent seeds (fis) have contributed to our understanding of this process. Figueiredo and Köhler review the role of auxin and epigenetic control of gene expression in seed development and apomixis. (Summary by Mary Williams) Genes Devel. 10.1101/gad.312546.118